I used to despair over winter's paltry offerings in our local markets when we moved to rural Maine. The selection has improved over time. Perhaps it is the result of a blossoming, and very welcome, new foodie culture that celebrates our delicious home grown produce. Creative chefs are also adding ethnic twists to old favorites and Mainers with adventurous tastes are responding enthusiastically, trying out new restaurants and searching for new herbs and spices not seen in our stores in earlier times. Even so, Peter and I are hopeless rice snobs and we could not find our
Bombay Original brand of Basmati rice anywhere. Our dilemma required a trip to the bounteous
Co-op in Belfast.
I love
Belfast and have written about and photographed this seaside town before. I decided to bring just a small 50 mm prime lens which easily fits in my handbag. I love this lens for its portability, clarity and the way it makes me think about my shots. The following photos show some of the exceptional details in Belfast's lovely brick work.
Peering into the windows of the
Lost Kitchen which unfortunately won't be open until dinner. You can read more about this remarkable bright spot in Maine's culinary offerings
here.
Lunch at
Chase's Daily with its airy space, excellent vegetarian dishes and sculpture exhibition provided a haven from the damp March sea air.
...and finally, not so lingering views of the waterfront on that cold raw day, wind whipping up surf and freezing my fingers!
At last we head home with two huge bags of rice not unlike the tubes of sand we carry around in the trunk when mud season is upon us!
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Oh my goodness the scenery here is absolutely amazing. And I love that vase showing all the roots!
ReplyDeleteOptimistic Existentialist ~ Thank you, Belfast is a lovely town! I loved the vase of chives too...a great idea I'd like to copy!
DeleteAt the risk of sounding naive – what is mud season and what do you do with the tubes of sand? All right, I could probably work out what mud season is but the tubes of sand?
ReplyDeleteHello Blue! Mud season is what we have in Maine instead of spring...rain on top of snow and thawing earth. It is all too easy to get stuck on our unpaved dirt roads and driveways, just imagine spinning wheels and splattered mud everywhere. Part of the process of a warm up is snow and rain followed by a freeze...beautiful Maine is tricky. Ready access to sand is indispensable for traction, walking or driving. We buy it in tube shaped bags. Some days you risk a broken hip, or worse, just taking the dog out. Sigh...another reason our tourist season is so short.
DeleteThank you, Carol--I have been yearning to drive up to Belfast all winter.
ReplyDeleteI've even thought about a sleepover at the Comfort Inn-by-the-sea there. You have captured its spirit in your photos, and they make me feel I've made the trip and at the same time spur my longings further. Chase's Daily. Coyote Moon. Heavenly Socks and the Co-op. Worth a day trip any day! ;o)
Hello Mike! I'm so glad you enjoyed the post! I don't get to Belfast nearly enough either...it's much farther for you! We went everywhere on your list except Heavenly Socks...confess I've never been there, but I'll look for it next time.
DeleteHope you've had a good winter...it's been a long one. I'm counting the weeks til we can head down to your direction once again! Extra hour of daylight tomorrow *bliss*
Too funny carol-! - I've been at comfort inn in belfast got last 3 days-only one to go-with friends Scrapbooking!! Beautiful village!!
ReplyDeleteRain ;)
Hello Rain! Haha...great minds and what a wonderful place for a get-together with friends! I agree, Belfast is beautiful. I could wander around and look at the houses forever!
DeleteI know those bags of rice. I've seen them in the Asian market. You are much more ambitious that I am. My kitchen is still in the basement (sigh!) and I weigh every purchase with the idea that what's in my cart has to be carted downstairs and I usually wimp out.
ReplyDeleteWe got about 12" of snow in one dump and a few days later another 6". I assume now we'll just slide into tornado season. Here's to perfect days and the wisdom to stand still and just be amazed when we get those few days a year!
home before dark ~ Are you still remodeling? It must feel like "Groundhog Day" at your house! I learned how to cook a pretty good pot of rice in Iran and the smell of steaming Basmati rice is second to none. You can't go back.
DeleteMy brother sent me a picture of his deck after your snowfall. Impressive! I also know that in your neck of the woods, the grass will probably need cutting next week. Lets hope for a quiet tornado season!